Our Story.

Just to reinforce what Rachel Ooi wrote briefly in her blog, I will tell the story of how Rachel and I became such close friends in greater detail.

Our story starts here.

In the beginning, God created a girl in her mother’s womb. When she was born, her parents named her Rachel. She was destined for great, great things. Even when she was a young girl, she liked to help out in any way she could, always the first to put up her hand and volunteer. She was everyone’s sweetheart.

4 years after Rachel was born, a little infant opened her eyes to see the world for the very first time. Abigail was her name, as was given to her by her parents who thought that name was the best choice for their firstborn. Hmmmm
Abigail tried her hardest to treat everyone nice.
She was a good girl. = )

...Fast forward...

Year 2006 -
It was time for Abigail to attend her first ISCA service. She was a bit scared but excited. The form ones entered Palm Springs for their welcome lunch hosted by the leaders of ISCA. Rachel was amongst them leaders. Abigail and her friend, Emma didn’t know anyone there. They didn’t want to talk to anyone else but to each other. Rachel, who noticed that came up to them and tried to be all friendly and nice. But she soon gave up because they weren’t being co-operative, giving only one-word responses like “yes” or “no” or “ok”.
Yes. Rachel and Abigail started off rough.

Abigail was then put in Rachel’s cg, Roti Batu. Every time they met in cg, they would only engage in small talk, like “how was your week?” or “why didn’t you come to cg last week?” They did talk and laugh together, go on cg trips together, but still there was no….. spark! Hahh

(Ok, I’m tired of writing in third-person.)

One fine Sunday morning, sometime in the month of August maybe…
Mere coincidence. Both our families decided to go out for some family bonding time/breakfast. My side of the story: Aberlyn wanted to go to McDonalds. We all agreed because we needed a break from the usual Arati Villas. So McDonalds it was. As we entered McDonalds, we saw familiar faces smiling at us. We said hi to Rachel’s family and talked to them for a bit. Then, it was this sudden decision that changed our lives as we'd known it. Our parents decided to sit together in one table. So Rachel, Carin, Aberlyn and I had to sit somewhere else. For some reason, Joel wasn't there. Rachel and I started talking so much. Both of us just had this “I have a million things to tell her” sort of feeling in us. A sudden outburst. There was not even a single moment of silence. It was intense! Carin and Aberlyn made some interesting contributions to our discussions as well. We laughed. And we laughed hard.

My parents enjoyed the company of Rachel’s parents. The same the other way round. So we often went out for dinner together. Rasa Sayang, Evergreen, Tanjong Bunga Seafood, Passions of Kerela… And of course, after dinner, we would have our photos-in-the-toilet time.

The following year was great. Eventually, I became good friends with Rachel Yeoh ! The sleepovers, shopping trips, photo sessions, Girl Power, the fav list.. BFFS for life!
Good times:

Rasa Sayang

PCC toilet

Mural

Cass' sweet 16

Kit Siong

But sadly, I had to leave to Brisbane, Australia. Rachel cried me a river. Oh yeah! A few months after, it was her turn to leave to Australia, but to Melbourne instead. Now we both are, like she said, so near, yet so far.

Our story doesn’t just end here.
I believe it will continue on and on.
Till death do we part.

Bananas, sticks, beijing, olympics, bread and honey, superspy.